Metallic lined tank structure



Jan. 6, 1931. G.w. WILLIAMS METALLIC LINED TANK STRUCTURE Filed May 7.* 1929 Patented Jan.l 6, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE W. WILLIAMS, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE CREAMERY PACK- AGE MFG. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS METALLIC LINED TANK STRUCTURE Application led Hay '1,

The invention relates to tank structures adapted to contain liquid, more es ecially milk in the process of preparation or consumption as food, and particularly relates to the construction of such tanks with a protective lining for contact with the liquid.

Certain of the non-corrosive steel allo s, and other metals such as tin, are especially adapted for milk rece tacles, because there is no appreciable reaction between the metal and the acids normally developed in. milk, and the surfaces of the metal exposed to the milk are easily cleaned and kept sanitary. The non-corrosive steel alloys are especially desirable for such use, because of their toughness and their resistance to surface injury in the cleaning process. rlhese metals, however, are prohibitively expensive for -use alone in the commercial manufacture of large milk storage tanks of which the walls must be sufficiently thick yfor strength to sustain the great weight of their contents. rlhis condition has suggested to me the provision of a relatively thin lining of the superior metal in asupporting tank shell of common metal.

The fabrication of a tank shell and a lining therefor, both being constructed from metal sheets joined to produce the desired form of tank, encounters difficult-y with any heretofore practiced method of joining the sheets, because of the essential characteristic of milk receptacles that the milk-contacting surfaces be smooth and devoid of seam crevices or other irregularities wherein milk deposits may remain after cleaning the receptacle to support the development of bacteria, and because of the necessity that the thin lining be backed up by contact with the supporting shell throughout its entire area,

without spaces alongside overlapping seams in either shell or lining where the unsupported lining may be broken or damaged by an attendant or his tools in cleaning the tank after use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a milk holding tank of sheet metal construction by which the advantages of the superior metal may be utilized in a comparatively thin lining within a shell of common metal, and having seams or joints so arranged ma. serial no. 361,092.

that the lining is in supporting contact with the shell at all points and presenting a uniforrlply smooth surface for Contact with the m1 Another object is to provide a method of constructing a lined tank from sections of sheet metal and of joining the sections so that the lining is uniforml supported b the shell and presents a uni ormly smoot surface within the tank.

Other objects and advantages will 'be apparent in the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l represents in perspective a tank constructed after my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of one end of the tank. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the same. Fig. 4 is a sectional detailed view of a joint in the outer shell and inner lining.

In the drawings, the numeral 1 indicates individual pieces or sections of sheet metal of the superior quality formed into shapes for joiningl to make up the desired size and shape of t e inner lining of the tank structure. The adjoining mar ins of the sections l are flanged outwardlyrom the milk con tacting surfaces, the ilanges being in abutting relation and welded along their outer edges as shown at 2. The section joints are also welded or filled with solder along they inner surface of the lining, as shown "at 3, the inner weld being vground and polished to present `a uniformly smooth continuous surface to the milk.

Outwardly of the lining structure is the supporting shell comprising individual sections 4 of common metal, preferably steel, shaped to lie snugly against the respective sections of the lining between the out turned welded flanges of the latter, the edges of the sections 4 being closely adjacent the respective surrounding flanges. The sections 4 being thus separated by the inter-extending ilanges, joining of the sections 4 is accomplished by straps 5 laid over the adjacent marginal portions of the res ective sections and secured thereto, as by we ding indicated at 6, to eiect a rigid unitary outer shell of the assembled sections.

It will here be apparent that by this form and method of construction, the sheet sections of the lining may be joined to form the desired continuously smooth milk-contacting inner surface, the outwardly extending welded flanges being disposed in the recesses formed between the edges of the supporting outer shell sections. The sheet lining is firmly supported by the snugly fitted shell sections over its entire area except where the equivalent support is given by the rigidly welded ianges. Also, the simple method of construction greatly facilitates inexpensive assembly of the tank structure in large units.

I claim as my invention:

A tank structure comprising a plurality or inner lining sections .of sheet metal having their peripheral margins turned outwardly to form flanges, the flanges of adjacent sections being joined to form a unitary lining having a continuous and uniform innei` surface, a plurality of outer shell sections positioned in outer supporting contact with said lining sections, said outer shell sections having form and dimensions similar to the form and dimensions of the respective contacting lining sections over the area within said marginal anges, the-adjacent edges of said outer shell sections being thereby separated to provide space therebetween for the extension thereinto of said joined flanges, and a plurality of straps overlying the adjacent marginal portions of said shell sections and said joined Hanges, said straps being secured f to said shell sections to form a unitary outer supporting shell for said lining.

In witness whereo l have hereunto attached my signature.

GEORGE W. WILLIAMS.v 

